Encourage Someone Today

Daily Devotions

November 09, 2014

“Epaphroditus…ministered to my need.” Php 2:25 NKJV
Encourage Someone Today
When people are hurting, they need your support until they can get back on their feet again. Medical researchers have developed a bone-bonding compound that illustrates this. It looks like toothpaste. Once injected into the body it hardens in ten minutes. In twelve hours it reaches the compression strength of natural bone. A study in the journal, Science, found the compound virtually identical to natural bone crystals. It so closely resembles real bone that the body doesn’t reject it. Weeks after being injected into the body, the cement is replaced by real bone. According to the Associated Press, clinical trials “show the material has allowed patients to discard casts early—or altogether—and to resume walking more quickly and with less pain.” Epaphroditus is introduced by Paul as “my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier…and the one who ministered to my need…Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (vv.25-30 NKJV). You ask, “What was Paul lacking?” Encouragement! And who brought it? “Epaphroditus, a brother, a fellow worker, and a soldier.” Epaphroditus worked side by side with Paul and he fought for him. What an asset he was! We look for such people in times of crisis because they lift us. So today ask God to make you an encourager whose words and actions bring comfort and support to others. There is no greater calling!